1. Modern English Grammar 2 Session 8
Conditionals
Modern English Grammar 2
Session 8

2. But first a quick recap on …
…what conditions the choice of modals.

3.      15.4 Which Modal?    extrinsic modality
intrinsic modality 
relationship with interlocutor   
strength of confidence or belief  
social standing  
level of formality of the situation
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4. For Conditionals the use of auxiliaries
is more narrowly defined
and determined by the situation, both pragmatically and syntactically.

5. Let’s check Exploration 1 on page 132
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6. 16.1 Exploring Conditionals a)
1. if fossil fuel is burnt
CO2 is released into the atmosphere
2. if I had £ 10,000,000
I would buy a house in California
3. if it rains
you’ll get soaking wet.
4. if she had told her teachers about the bullying
they would have suspended the gang
5. if water freezes
its volume increases
6. if we reduce our carbon footprint
we decrease the rate of global warming
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7. 16.1 Exploring Conditionals b)
7. if you ask her out
she will probably not turn you down
8. had you phoned earlier
we wouldn’t have arranged to go out tonight
9. supposing you were able to convince the committee
you could get a grant for the next three years
10. if it snowed tomorrow
he’d be on the piste all day
11. if my mother had been poor
my father would have married someone else
12. unless there is plenty of rain in October
the wheat grows very badly
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8. Do
Exploration 2 on
page 132
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9. 16.1 Exploring Conditionals c)
open possibility
outcome likely/expected
limited, mainly theoretical possibility
outcome doubtful
impossibility
outcome “overtaken by events” 1 2 4 3 9 8 5 10 11 6
Numbers come up in the sequence of the sentences in the explorations 7 12
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10. Do
Activity 1 on
page 133
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11. 16.1 Basic types of Conditionals
If clause
main clause
Probable
condition (I)
If you ask her out
she will probably not turn you down.
Verb forms Conditional I
present
will + main verb
Hypothetical condition (II)
if I had £ 10,000,000
I would buy a house in California.
Verb forms Conditional II
past
would + main verb
Impossible condition (III)
Had you phoned earlier
we wouldn’t have arranged to go out tonight.
Verb forms Conditional III
past perfect
would have + main verb -ed
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12. …this isn’t really the whole picture
But as always…
…this isn’t really the whole picture

13. Do
Exploration 3 on
page 132
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14. 16.2.1 Variations a) Type unusual element
1. If you see him, tell him to get lost. I
imperative in MC
2. If we run/ran like hell we might just make the train.
I/II
modal aux in MC
3. I won’t be able to get up to the hut if it has snowed. I
present perfect in if-C
4. Come this way if you will, your Grace. I?
will in if-C
5. If you saw him in the street, he always looked the other way. ?
no auxiliaries
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15. 16.2.1 Variations b) Type unusual element
6. You can pick it up tomorrow if they are fixing it now. I
modal in MC, pres. cont. in if-C
7. Please phone me immediately if it should arrive today. I
should in if-C
8. If I were you, I’d run a mile in a situation like this. II
were instead of was
9. He gets nervous if his wife brings home her boss. ?
present in both clauses (no aux.)
10. I will take it to the post office if you would only sign it. I?
would in if-C
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16. Do
Activity 2 on
page 133
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17. 16.2.1 Extended Basic Conditionals a)
If clause
main clause
General
condition (0a)
if his wife brings home her boss
he gets nervous
Verb forms Conditional 0a
present
present (simple)
General condition (0b)
If you saw him in the street
he always looked the other way
Verb forms Conditional 0b
past
past (simple)
meaning: if = whenever
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18. Continue with Activity 2 on page 135
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19. 16.2.1 Extended Basic Conditionals b)
1. if you see him
tell him to get lost.
instruction
Verb Forms
present simple
imperative I
3. if it has snowed
I won’t be able to get up to the hut
condition to be met before event in the main clause
Verb Forms
present perfect
will + main verb I
6. if they are fixing it now
you can pick it up tomorrow
condition in progress at the time of speaking
Verb Forms
present continuous
aux + main verb I
7. if it should arrive today
please phone me immediately
(rather) formal request
Verb Forms
should + verb
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20. 16.2.1 Extended Basic Conditionals C)
4. if you will, your Grace
come this way
polite request / volition
Verb Forms
will (+ main verb) I
10. if you would only sign it
I will take it to the post office
polite, urgent request
Verb Forms
would + main verb
I/II
2. if we run/ran like hell
we might just make the train.
hypothetical or possible condition with questionable result
Verb Forms
present/past
modal aux II
8. if I were you
I’d run a mile in a situation like this.
residual use of subjunctive in English
Verb Forms
subjunctive
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21. Do
Activity 3 on
page 135
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22. “non-dependent condition”
Mixed forms
If-clause
Main Clause
if it hadn’t rained all week
I would take you on a hike today
III II
if you enjoyed Reservoir Dogs
you will enjoy Pulp Fiction as well II I
if I weren’t so damn soft-hearted
I would have thrown you out a long time ago II
III
if it will make a difference
I’ll lend you the money
“non-dependent condition” ? I?
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23. Do
Exploration 4 on
page 134
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24. 16.3 Correct or incorrect: rules of thumb a)
1. If you will make an effort, I will talk to her.
OK: volition
2. I will see you if I will be in Bern next.
Wrong
3. I would try to do theses exercises if I would know where to start.
Wrong
4. If you would organise a plumber, I would pay for the work.
OK: polite request
5. If he is watching telly we are waiting a long time.
Wrong
6. You have to be very careful if you are going to challenge her. OK
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25. 16.3 Correct or incorrect: rules of thumb a)
7. Were it to rain tomorrow, we would have to cancel the concert.
Formal, replacement construction using subjunctive
8. She would have done it if you would have asked her to.
Wrong
9. If you be found wanting, you will be condemned to an eternity of sorrow.
Subjunctive, highly formal
10. If she was interested, she would have given you her mobile number.
relatively informal, more formally “were interested”.
11. He would have a lot more money if he were to move to Spain.
“were to” (subjunctive) expressing a relatively vague plan
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26. Do
Exploration 5 on
page 134
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27. 16.4. Alternatives to “if” if only only if providing (that)
provided (that)
suppose (that)
supposing (that)
assuming that
unless (=if not)
even if
on condition that
in case
assuming (that)
as long as
so long as
given the fact that
inversion (II/III)
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28. Home Study
Exploration 1 on page 140
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29. Modern English Grammar
Bye for now…
Ere Phoibos his course eight-fold has run ‘twill be time again for
Modern English Grammar
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